12/8/21 Council Meeting

By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Perth Amboy Historic Preservation Chair Renee Skelton appeared before the council to present a Historic Preservation Committee update. She stated that of the 360 municipalities in New Jersey, one-third have a Historic Commission. We’re here to ask for your support so we can do what an HPC is intended to do. We are working on projects now and for the future. In 1978, a survey of historic sites was done. 32 of those sites are gone, and those that are still standing had a great number of alterations done to cause them to lose their historic value. We demolished a lot of buildings that were on the state and national listing.” She then mentioned the Anaconda Old Copperworks located between Second and Elm Streets which had 20 historic buildings that were eligible for the state register. “Some of those buildings were destroyed and the HPC was never consulted. Our HPC ordinance is very vague and easy to circumvent. With some of the previous administrations, there have been more rhetoric than action. The last inventory of historic sites was done in 2016. There were reviews for proposed changes and there were supposed to be reviews of requests for demolishing of some buildings that may have had historic value. There are four land use boards, and three that are regulatory. We are an advisory board, and we are supposed to give our recommendations to the other boards. We should always be the first stop (when it comes to looking at historic sites or buildings), then it should go before the Planning or Zoning Board. In other towns that have HPC’s, they have listed in their ordinance that they are advisory boards. We are the only ones who can bring perspectives from our experts regarding historic sites which other boards don’t have. We are often passed over because of our ordinance being so weak which allows our HPC to be sidestepped. Hoboken has 64 historic sites of which they list all the pertinent details on each one and why they should be included in the master plan.” She then went on to mention two buildings that have historic terra cotta: one at 224 Smith Street, and the Massopust Building located at the 700 Block on State Street. “The terra cotta can be removed from those buildings because they are not considered historic sites. The only thing the HPC can do in those cases to protest that action. In 2011, the Chair at time was William Pavlovsky who emphasized the need to strengthen the HPC ordinance. We want to give the council the actual information to do this. Our priorities are to revive the ordinance to get the skilled people we need such as a restoration architect, and someone on the Planning Board and a council member as members. We also need to hire an architect (whose specialty is in historic restoration.) We need to add a restoration coordinator. We presently do our own research, attend workshops, and write grants. The city needs to hire someone to do this and work with us. We need to get the needed sites on the national registry, and we need to have historic districts set up. We are doing some of that now. The library and the post office are on the short list. To have sites to be put on the national historic registry has benefits. You can attract additional funds and get economic incentives which can help with taxes which also include federal tax credits. Governor Murphy recently signed into law where eligible historic sites can get tax credits. Many buildings in Perth Amboy are eligible for the NJ Tax Credits. It will bring more money into the town and depending on the historic building, the tax credit could be anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 per historic building. We would like to be certified by the local government. We had historic markers that did not cost the city. Duke Realty is giving us markers for the Anaconda site. The Thomas Mundy Peterson Site is on Kushner’s property and people are willing to donate money to excavate that site and Kushner’s representatives are okay with that. All of our city museums should be open at the same time and we also need a map showing all the restaurants in town. The Surveyor General’s Office needs to be open, and we need a historic trail map printed in English and Spanish. Schools can use them to teach our children about Perth Amboy’s history. A trust fund for the HPC would be a basic source of funding. We can set local tax levy’s which can be used for an arts and cultural center. Jersey City has done this.” She then mentioned the old city buildings that have mostly been abandoned which encompasses High Street, Commerce Street, Rector Street, and Fayette Street. “We need to preserve these old city buildings and add a memorial to Thomas Mundy Peterson.” Skelton noted that it would be a good site for a museum and a cultural center. She then recognized some of the HPC members that were present. Phyllis Gianfrancesco and Katherine Massopust. She also mentioned the tremendous support from Councilman Joel Pabon and former Councilwoman Lisa Nanton who are both on the Board of Trustees on the Proprietary House. Joel Pabon lives across the street from the Proprietary House. She also recognized former Councilman Dave Szilagyi. “The Office of Economic and Community Development were also able to supply grants to us.” She noted City Historian John Dyke has highlighted Perth Amboy’s history with his videos. “I remembers when Helmin Caba and I would often attend HPC meetings before he became mayor and I became an HPC commissioner. He was a commissioner for short time. He was always supportive of what they did.”

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda thanked the HPC for what they do to preserve our history. “We are here to support you.” 

Council President Petrick said, “All volunteers should be recognized. We support you, but what is the number value of your budget?”

Skelton said, “We gave you a rough estimate, but we need to decide as a city what we want to do. I don’t know what we will be allowed to do.”

Councilman Pabon suggested, “We need to start with the ordinance and give us the information with what the other HPC’s in other municipalities have in their ordinances. See what happened after 2011 (when the HPC was revitalized).”

Skelton reiterated, “The ordinance has to be strengthened first. I don’t have much information as to what happened regarding the ordinance from 2011.”

Pabon stated that he would sit down with Lisa Nanton to discuss this.

Petrick then suggested, “We can pass an ordinance to strengthen it and then provide the funding needed.”

Skelton replied, “We have funding to hire an expert, and we will give you a report on that.”

Business Administrator Michael Green spoke up, “I will do everything I can to assist you.”

The meeting was open to anyone to speak on ordinances on the agenda that had a public hearing. No one present at the meeting spoke.

Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke via Zoom on Ordinance No. 1 – Appropriating $1,800,000 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds for the acquisition of meters for the water/wastewater public in and by the city of Perth Amboy. 

She asked about the price of the smart meters and if the residents have an option to opt out of getting a new meter. “There should be access to clean drinking water. We still have a lot of issues with the water. What does this ordinance have to do with meters and new pipes being laid down? The $1,850,000 should be for our infrastructure and cleaner water. The American Rescue Plan should not be used for this (buying meters).”

B.A. Green responded, “This ordinance is for 4,000 meters which will be 5/8” to 2” and this is to improve our water. The DEP and EPA has not cited us as having bad water and these will be smart meters.”

Council President Petrick then commented, “The meters were going to be replaced and we will be using this money instead of having to use bonds for the cost and people cannot opt out on this.”

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only (in-house):

HPC Commissioner Phyllis Gianfrancesco came up to speak. She remembered when she attended meetings with one of the former chairs. “I know you are doing the master plan and the former chair of the HPC said we can have historic districts in the city to be incorporated into the master plan. We need to have a historic site element. The old police department can be restored into a rec center. It could be a site for the enjoyment of children and all residents.”

Petrick responded, “I remember when the late well-known local artist Tom Ward was around. He would talk about all the historic buildings.” Petrick then asked B.A. Mike Green if the HPC Commissioners can go into the old police station.”

Gianfrancesco continued, “We lost state grant money when we lost those buildings on the Anaconda site.”

Petrick then commented that some of the parking lots near there are being used.

Green said that he would see about the HPC Commissioners getting access to the old police building.

Resident Alan Silber came up to speak next. He stated that he would like to apologize for some of the statements he made at Monday’s Caucus meeting. He was concerned that minutes of council meetings are not posted in a timely manner on the website and the clerk’s office needs more people. 

Petrick replied that the clerk’s office is trying to catch up since the pandemic began.

Silber continued, “There has been misinformation regarding fluoride, and I disagree with what the Business Administrator said about our water. There were two different Deans from universities – one of them from Harvard Dental School who talked about the benefits of fluoride. There have been disputes about the dangers of fluoride. You as a council are not qualified to vote on this. 73% of the country drinks fluoride water. Mayor Caba used to come to the meetings. Maybe he can enlighten us (on this issue).”

Councilman B.J. Torres responded, “You are giving us biased information (using Dental Schools as your source). I am quoting what the CDC and the WHO stated about fluoride.”

Silber continued, “I can’t believe you having a war on this.”

Petrick concluded, “Most people drink bottled water anyway.”

Resident Ray Kawka, Jr. came up next to speak about the old city buildings. He suggested that the old police buildings can be converted into a community police center, or a museum and those buildings should be saved.

No one spoke via Zoom.

The council voted on Ordinance No.1 (water meters). It was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. 

Rose Morales asked for R-657 – 12/21 – Prohibiting the use of fluoride in the city’s drinking water to be voted on separately. 

For the consent agenda, R-620 thru R-656; and R-658 thru R-660 was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. When it came to vote on R-657, it was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. Pabon, Morales voted “No”; Petrick, Torres, and Tejeda voted “Yes”. Motion passes.

The council voted to add the later starters. R-665-12/21 – Qualifying public defenders who submitted responses to request the qualifications for CY: 2022.

R-666-12/21 – A contract with Hanan A. Boulas as a public defender for the CY: 2022 in an amount not to exceed $37,100.

R-667 – A contract with William Northgrave to perform legal services beyond the regular duties of the Director of Law in an amount not to exceed $80,657.

It was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

Public Portion (in-house first):

Resident Lisa Nanton came up to speak first. She thanked Renee Skelton on her excellent presentation, “How long will it take to put the amended HPC  Ordinance on the agenda?”

Petrick responded, “We need to get specific information to put in the ordinance and then incorporate it into the master plan. Our budget comes out in March. We have to see if there is money we can place in our budget for the HPC. We can do this as a Council Body.”

Nanton asked, “Is the master plan separate? We have funds for an attorney and there should be money in the master plan.”

Petrick responded, “We took money from our budget to put in the master plan. The city can put in an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for a city planner, then an RFP (Request for Proposal).”

B.A. Green said, “We are working with the state on our master plan.”

Petrick commented, “The city engineer and the planning board work together on the master plan and present their findings to the council. With the new administration, we have also added that the HPC be included in the committee. Our City Engineer Ernest Feist stated there was no money to pay him and he knew there was an RFQ.”

Councilman Pabon spoke up, “Now that the HPC is part of the committee that is working on the master plan, we can make it happen (identifying historic sites).”

Petrick then suggested to use part of Hoboken’s ordinance as an example. “Our City Engineer needs a checklist of the historic sites. Nothing is mentioned. The planning board also overlooked the HPC for advise and consent.”

The next person to speak was Maria Peralta who lives on State Street. She spoke in Spanish. Pabon translated. She was concerned about a meeting that was cancelled in September regarding a bar at 415 Fayette St. where there many disturbances. “What is going on and when will the hearing take place? This bar needs to be relocated because the residents near there need to have peace. They would like to attend the meeting regarding this bar. Please do not permit any more bars to be near any residential areas. This bar should be closed because of the fights and shooting that took place until they are investigated. There was even a shot through a window where a child was present. You are here to protect the community. There are too many things going on in the bars (that are wrong). We just need to know a date and time when there will be a meeting scheduled to discuss this particular bar.”

Petrick responded, “Our former Law Director, Mr. King was supposed to get in touch with the bar’s attorney and the state agency investigated this bar. I know that there was a murder that occurred there, but I don’t know what happened after that.”

Lawyer William Opel spoke up. He stated that he spoke to Mr. King and that he is waiting for a report from the state about this bar. “I will follow up on this.”

Council President Petrick then stated, “We were told that we can take action. We have all received petitions from neighborhood (regarding the incident at this bar).”

Resident Alan Silber came up next. “Are city workers required to be vaccinated?”

B.A. Green responded, “There is no state mandate, so the answer is no.”

Silber continued, “Do we pay workers who have Covid and passed it on? We don’t discuss Covid issues, but we can vote on fluoride. In the New Jersey Magazine, they used to list the best and worst schools. We were always listed as one of the worst schools. You should consult with the Dean of Rutgers and Harvard Dental Schools. I hope everyone enjoys their holidays and my hope is for a healthier new year.”

The meeting was opened up to Zoom participants.

Sharon Hubberman spoke, “Mike Green was once the Business Administrator in Newark. Newark also had a water crisis.” She stated that the comments I made earlier about the water are factual. “Look at our water quality report. Our contaminant levels are high. I am a longtime resident of Perth Amboy and Mr. Green needs to do a fact check. I am an advocate for the community. I see there is a job title that says: “Chief of Staff”. That would be what the business administrator does. How could another person be given that title instead of being the mayor’s aide? What about the salary range of this title? Mr. Green should access this title. I wish everyone a happy new year. Be safe and blessings to everyone and their families.”

Petrick responded to Hubberman’s comments. “The business administrator is also the chief of staff, but then you have a chief of staff in the mayor’s office.”

B.A. Green also responded, “I was the Acting Director of the Water and Sewer Department in Newark. I stand by what the DEP and the EPA said about our water quality.”

Petrick commented, “There was a lead problem in Newark which went into the homes, but we didn’t have lead bin problems coming into our homes in Perth Amboy like Newark did. Most of our service lines are copper.”

Green concluded the discussion, “We bonded (the money) to correct the service lines to the homes in Newark which were taken care of.”

Council Comments: 

Councilwoman Rose Morales thanked Renee Skelton for her presentation and all of the HPC members. “You can’t call our city historical if we keep knocking down our historical buildings.”

Councilman Joel Pabon thanked all who made this year’s Christmas Parade possible last week. “I thank the police department, DPW, and the administration. The turnout was great. Have a happy, healthy, holiday. Merry Christmas. Let’s protect ourselves. Go out and have a good time. God willing, we will be back in 2022.”

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda thanked all who participated in the Christmas Parade. “I enjoyed the presentation by Renee Skelton, and I look forward to participating (with this cause). Enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, and don’t forget to call and reach out to those who are shut in. Have a healthy new year.”

Councilman B.J. Torres wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy new year. “Get your booster shot. I hope everyone who has not gotten a vaccination has a change of heart.”

Council President Bill Petrick wished everyone a blessed Hannukah. “I heard the library had a wonderful Hannukah event. Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanza. Covid is still here and now there is another new variant. Happy Holidays to everyone. I am hoping that Covid will lesson and in time the economy will recover. Merry Christmas to all here and in Zoomland! God Bless America!”